Review: Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tessa, dubbed a 'Black-Eyed Susan' by the media, became famous for being the only victim to survive the vicious attack of a serial killer. Her testimony helped to put a dangerous criminal behind bars - or so she thought.Now, decades later the black-eyed susans planted outside Tessa's bedroom window seem to be a message from a killer who should be safely in prison.

Haunted by fragmented memories of the night she was attacked and terrified for her own teenage daughter's safety, can Tessa uncover the truth about the killer before it's too late?

My Thoughts:

HOLY guacamole this was BRILLIANT, a 2015
favourite read. It's intelligent, edgy and tight ... the very best kind of
psychological thriller. Even the title and cover art is creepy good.

Tessa is the only surviving victim of the Black-Eyed Susans serial killer. The
story moves seamlessly between past and present, teenage Tessie and adult Tessa
almost 2 decades on, with a teenage daughter of her own.

Tessa's fragmented memories and growing
desperation added wings to my own anxiety and as the murderer's execution
loomed the sense of urgency grew. Was he wrongfully convicted?

Black-Eyed Susans had my skin crawling with
dread, there's no graphic violence but the suspense almost killed me. My
thoughts were jumping as erratically as my heart. So true about the sense of
smell and memories. Such visceral reactions to Heaberlin's writing ...
LOVE that.

I had my suspicions and I was correct (to a point) but the author's skill with
misdirection. Wow, talk about amping the suspense. I was all over the
place.

What more could you ask for? ... superb
characterisation, gorgeous writing, the forensic science/DNA, psychological and
legal aspect all fascinating, obviously well researched and executed
brilliantly.

I'd laughed, something close to the way I used
to, and imagined it drifting out under the bedroom door, smoothing out a
tight wrinkle in my father's face.

26 comments:

I hear the enthusiasm. I have noticed a large number of bloggers giving this one a very big thumbs up. Unfortunately probably not best suited to me, would love every thing except the suspense that makes the skin crawl with dread!!

I think I've requested it cos I read stacks of reviews of it a little while ago (via US bloggers) and as soon as I saw it on lists here I put in a request. My fingers are crossed. Thanks for this great review Teddyree... I'm even more hopeful now!